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LIFE ON THE BORDER
In the debate about guest workers and border fences, we often forget the human side of the story. Enrique Morones is determined to help us all remember. He is the founder of Border Angels, a humanitarian organization which provides support and relief to migrant workers on the US-Mexican border. He wants Americans to know the truth about the people behind the immigration policy debates, both migrants and the vigilante Minutemen. ESCAPE FROM THE "KILLING FIELDS"
 How does a child who was both a victim and survivor of the Cambodian genocide grow to become an internationally recognized human rights leader? A founder of Children of War, an international youth leadership organization for building community, activism and healing for teenagers, Arn Chorn Pond opens our eyes and hearts, and helps us to heal.
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hooking up
 America’s young people want straight talk about sex from parents and schools. Most are not getting it. Amber Madison, author of Hooking Up: A Girl’s All-out Guide to Sex & Sexuality gives them what they want in simple non-clinical language. It's all here, from Gonorrhea to the "G" spot, emergency contraception to erectile dysfunction. A fresh, fun and much-needed presentation.AN AFGHAN WOMAN'S ODYSSEY
 The first Afghan woman to publish an English language memoir, Searching for Saleem: An Afghan Woman’s Odyssey, Professor Farooka Gauhari's story reflects the harrowing encounters of countless Afghan families, their sufferings and their struggles to maintain their identities under totalitarian rule. Her experience creates a particularly touching and powerful memoir of the Afghan peoples.<
EYE ON THE SUPREME COURT
The newly-reconfigured Supreme Court will soon be ruling on cases crucial to all Americans; abortion rights, privacy issues, and the limits of Presidential power. How will the two newest justices rule? Washington Post correspondent Charles Lane gives audiences an insightful look at the politics and personalities within the Supreme Court HUMAN RIGHTS IN NORTH KOREA
The denial of human rights in North Korea is a terrible injustice that can no longer be ignored. As Executive Director of the US Committee for Human Rights in North Korea, Debra Liang-Fenton discusses North Korea's nuclear weapon threat, the politics of famine, the inhumane treatment of political prisoners and its military buildup. BLUE COLLAR ROOTS, WHITE COLLAR DREAMS
Alfred Lubrano speaks from both personal experience and his work as a journalist about the role of class, culture and education across generations. The author of the books Limbo: Blue-Collar Roots, White-Collar Dreams and Sons on Fathers, and a feature writer for the Philadelphia Inquirer, he has won more than a dozen journalism awards. ORGANIZED CRIME IN AMERICA
An unrelenting investigative journalist, best-selling author Dan Moldea focuses on the world of organized crime in America in the highly acclaimed Hoffa Wars and Dark Victory. His controversial book Interference linked the NFL to the Mafia and embroiled Moldea in a landmark legal battle. He has also published the definitive books on the murder of Robert Kennedy, the O.J. Simpson case, and Vincent Foster's suicide.
http://www.moldea.com
More on this speaker. (PDF 572K) GENE THERAPY AND CLONING
Now that scientists have cloned animals, should we try cloning humans? Gregory Pence aggressively defends all cloning research, from embryonic stem cells to cloned babies. One of the founders of bioethics, he also talks about the ethics of human enhancement (“How to Build a Better Human”) and the ethics of transplant surgery from hearts to faces. His books include Who’s Afraid of Human Cloning?, Re-Creating Medicine, and Classic Cases in Medical Ethics. GLOBAL WARMING AND AMERICA'S ENERGY POLICY
 For the past 25 years, there's been an unprecedented worldwide effort by thousands of scientists to pinpoint whether global warming is partly responsible for the extreme weather we've been having. Noted author Bob Reiss has traveled the world interviewing heads of state and scientists to reveal the truth. His book The Coming Storm: Extreme Weather and Our Terrifying Future is a reasoned voice in the debate.
MAKING SENSE OF GLOBALIZATION
 Globalization has changed the world, but not to everyone's liking. Some are angered by globalization's challenge to traditional religious and cultural patterns; others decry its aggressive capitalism. Will the tensions produce a full-blown clash of civilizations? What do the leading religions say? Award-winning journalist Ira Rifkin is the author of Spiritual Perspectives on Globalization: Making Sense of Economic and Cultural Upheaval. CONFRONTING THE FAR RIGHT - PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE
Anna
Rosmus triggered a firestorm
of controversy in her German
hometown by writing about
the role it played under the
Nazi regime; her story has
been told in the film The
Nasty Girl,
as well as in her “60
Minutes” interview.
She is committed to combating
the neo-Nazi movement and
the extreme right. She has
received numerous awards for
her efforts, and is the author
of several books dealing with
both the historical and contemporary
impact of the Nazis on Germany
and the rest of the world.
THE RISE OF MILITANT ISLAM
 From the rise of Islamic insurgency groups and the promise of democracy, to the myths and realities of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East and Asia, author and scholar Hassan Abbas gives an insider view as a former senior security officer in the Pakistan government. He is a frequent media commentator on terrorism and radical Islam in Pakistan, Afghanistan and other nations in south and central Asia. BIOLOGICAL ORIGINS OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION
 One of the most lucid and provocative writers on gay and lesbian issues, Chandler Burr is the author of the widely praised book A Separate Creation: The Search for the Biological Origins of Sexual Orientation. He has also written on the controversy of public health, civil liberties and HIV/AIDS.
STORIES ARE TELLIN': FREDERICK DOUGLASS
 In 1859, Frederick Douglass, a relentless anti-slavery orator, was being sought by the state of Virginia with a warrant of arrest for his alleged activity in the armed assault on the Federal Arsenal at Harpers Ferry. This historical moment beset with national and personal drama is the setting for “Frederick Douglass, 1859.” Guy Peartree renders Frederick Douglass with sensitivity to the historical and folkloric features of this period in American history. images in the media
 Camille Cooper’s powerful multi-media presentation, “Discover the Truth,” addresses issues of women in Hollywood and how the media portrays the “perfect American girl”. She delivers a unique, humorous, and insightful look at a media industry obsessed with thinness and beauty. Ms. Cooper has worked professionally in film and television. MARTIN LUTHER KING REMEMBERED
 "Dynamic", "heartwarming" and "soulful" are words often used to describe Jim Lucas' portrayal of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. His uncanny resemblance to King is breathtaking, and his performance consistently brings standing ovations and a deeper appreciation of King's life, work and vision.
More on this speaker. (PDF 428K) STORIES OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HEROISM
 Why have so many black Americans been willing, and often eager, to serve in the armed forces of the United States? What role has patriotism played in their determination to serve? How might we explain that determination in the light of the racism these men and women faced? Yvonne Latty's oral history We Were There: Voices of African American Veterans tackles these questions in the words of black veterans. SOJOURNER TRUTH: “A WOMAN, AIN’T I?”
 Abolitionist and suffragist Sojourner Truth’s life is told in her own words using her speeches and songs in this dramatic presentation by Kathryn Woods. Born a slave, Isabella Baumfree walked away from slavery to become an evangelist, when she wasn’t being a maid or laundress. In her travels she met preachers and advocates of all sorts, and evolved into Sojourner Truth. INVENTING BEAUTY
 How did mascara help Greta Garbo's rise to stardom? What “naughty” devices were used by respectable women to eradicate wrinkles? Teresa Riordan, author of Inventing Beauty: A History of the Innovations That Have Made Us Beautiful, takes you on a fascinating romp through the annals of the beauty industry, showing how inventions put the resourceful and imaginative on an even playing field with the congenitally beautiful. UNDERGROUND HOLLYWOOD
 The creator of FilmThreat.com and author of The Ultimate Film Festival Survival Guide gives audiences his take on everything from the latest trends in independent and cult films to making and marketing your own movie. From his outspoken commentary to judging and speaking at film festivals around the world, Chris Gore has established himself as the top indie-film authority. AMERICA’S MOST WANTED
 From the first interview with convicted killer Scott Peterson, to breaking the Elizabeth Smart kidnapping, to investigations into hate groups and other terrorist organizations, Emmy-winning journalist Ed Miller of "America's Most Wanted" takes you side by side with law enforcement, and into the minds of some of the nationÕs most notorious criminals. Celebrities and cULTS: what makes them play "follow the leader"?
 "Cults in America," from Hollywood celebrities to Texas polygamists, Rick Ross has seen it all and is the most sought after expert in the field of cult research, deprogramming and analysis. He is the founder and executive of the Ross Institute Internet Archives, which is the largest online library with information about cults, controversial groups and movements accessible through the Internet.
http://www.rickross.com
native american spirit
 Rose Red Elk has performed for thousands and has been called a master storyteller, sharing her ancestral stories as told to her by her father and grandfather, and singing songs gifted to her through dreams or inspired by her life experiences. She leaves her audiences spellbound, while also teaching the importance of our Mother Earth, and to reflect on each individual’s culture.
tracking the 2008 presidential campaign
 While the media's saturated with "talking heads" offering commentary on the 2008 Presidential campaign, few possess the insights of messaging expert Richard Thau. Thau is tracking literally second by second how much voters agree or disagree with each candidate's replies as they deliver them. In a fascinating multi-media presentation featuring snippets from the debates, Thau shares a wealth of insights into who's resonating, who's sinking and why.
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RAISING AWARENESS THROUGH COMEDY
 From Islamic fundamentalists to white liberals to good old-fashioned racists, no one is safe from stand-up comic Tissa Hami's sharp wit. One of the world's few female Muslim stand-up comics, she hopes that her comedy will help break down stereotypes about Muslim women and foster understanding between Iranians and Americans, though she warns that people who disapprove of her act will be taken hostage.
http://www.tissahami.com
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issues of race and gender
 Fierce, fresh and smart, author and journalist Daisy Hernandez focuses on race, gender, sexuality, and other issues affecting young women of color. She is Senior Writer and Managing Editor for ColorLines magazine, coeditor of the book Colonize This! Young Women of Today’s Feminism, and on the editorial advisory board for the Feminist Press. Her editorials and columns have appeared in the New York Times, Ms. Magazine, and many other publications.
Ocean's beauty
What beauty can be found at the ocean’s greatest depths? And how can we protect it? Biologist and deep-sea explorer Edith Widder combines her expertise in research and technological innovation with a commitment to reversing the worldwide trend of degradation in our marine environment. Her presentation gives a breathtaking view of the world beneath the surface of the seas.
speaking for conservative America
lost in myspace: privacy and protection online
If personal privacy is something we truly value, how do we find a balance with the role of emerging technologies? Attorney and technology expert Frederick Lane takes a hard look at the rapid evolving laws governing computers, privacy and free speech, at home, in school and in the workplace. Look for his upcoming book, The Decency Wars: The Campaign to Cleanse American Culture. LIVING HIGH IN THE TREES
Involved
in long-term studies of rainforest
regeneration, Margaret Lowman has developed canopy techniques,
including ropes, walkways,
hot air balloons, construction
cranes, and combinations of
these methods. She frequently
speaks about her jungle adventures
and about rainforest conservation
to educational groups. She
continues to travel worldwide
to “map the canopy for
biodiversity”, and to
work on conservation.
GAY AND LESBIAN HISTORY
Award-winning author and journalist Neil Miller looks at the changing lives of gays and lesbians in small communities across the United States and around the globe in his acclaimed books In Search of Gay America and Out in the World. His most recent book, Sex-Crime Panic: A Journey to the Paranoid Heart of the 1950's, shows the dark chapter in history where the personal lives of gay men in America's heartland were destroyed.
TRANSGENDER ISSUES
 Cheryl Ann Costa wears many hats: she is a security engineer, a practicing Buddhist, a theater producer, a playwright and a trans-woman. Costa crossed the boundary of gender when she transitioned from male to female in the mid nineteen-eighties. In her presentation she discusses the differences between “Sex” and “Gender” and her personal journey through life with courage, conviction, and healthy dose of humor.
WHAT THE PRESS FORGETS TO TELL YOU
For
the past thirty years, Project
Censored has compiled an annual
list of significant news stories
which the major media are
unwilling to cover. Project
director and media watchdog
Peter Phillips uses these
stories to give a thoughtful
presentation that focuses
on building “media literacy”
in a democratic society.
THE TERRORIST TRAP
One
of the nation’s leading
experts on terrorism, Jeffery
Simon discusses the risks
and complexities of terrorism
and the most effective tactics
and strategies to combat terrorists
in the post-9/11 world. Formerly
with the Rand Corporation,
he is President of Political
Risk Assessment Company and
author of the acclaimed book The Terrorist Trap.
political cartoons
 Starting with a small newspaper in New Jersey, to his syndicated series “Tomorrow’s News Tonight” and his recently published retrospective Freedom Fries, Steve Brodner’s award-winning career as a satirical illustrator and art journalist spans three decades. His iconic caricatures of pop and political culture have appeared in every major publication in the United States, not to mention his visual essays of political campaigns and the struggles of everyday working people and their families.
IMAGES OF ASIAN AMERICAN HISTORY
 Christina Chan stars in the one-woman play “Unbinding Our Lives” which shatters the exotic, subservient, “China doll” image. In this powerful show Ms. Chan portrays three real women from China in the 1800’s and tells their personal stories of being sold into child slavery, prostitution, and abandonment. An unforgettable look at forgotten history. A WOMAN'S CHALLENGE TO CHANGE
 An award winning journalist and former Washington Post reporter, Patrice Gaines works to empower girls and young women at risk, drawing from the heart of her experiences on the streets and in prison. She is the co-founder of Brown Angel Center, seeking to provide formerly incarcerated women and their families with the tools to renew their lives. Gaines is author of Laughing in the Dark and Moments of Grace: Meeting the Challenge to Change.
CAN FREEDOM AND NATIONAL SECURITY COEXIST?
 Human Rights First works in the United States and around the world to create a secure and humane world by advancing justice, human dignity and respect for the rule of law. Senior associate Avi Cover addresses human protection issues ranging from war crimes tribunals to illegal detentions and the use of torture. He speaks eloquently of the need to balance civil liberties and individual rights with concerns for national security.
POETRY – MUSIC – DIVERSITY
 "The kora talks, for real. That's why when Africans were brought here all African instruments were banned from the United States - because they could talk." Performing his poems with the use of the kora, Kurtis Lamkin's unique performance leaves audiences with a new perspective of cultural history and understanding. GAY AND LESBIAN RIGHTS
 Richard Mohr has written on social issues affecting gay and lesbian Americans. One of the country's leading advocates for lesbian and gay marriage, his essay "Gay Basics" has been anthologized over thirty times. Richard is the author of Gays/Justice: A Study of Ethics, Society, and Law; Gay Ideas: Outing and Other Controversies; A More Perfect Union; and The Long Arc of Justice: Lesbian and Gay Marriage, Equality, and Rights. THE IMPACT OF PORNOGRAPHY
 Once marginalized, pornography has now become a central part of our cultural landscape, with its idealized, mass produced images of women, men and sex seeping into our identities, body image, and relationships. In this powerful multi-media presentation, Dr. Gail Dines explores how gender is shaped by a consumer-driven culture, and the ways the public images we consume on a daily basis spill over into our most private worlds.
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GROWING UP FEMALE WITH THE MASS MEDIA
 Media critic, American Studies professor, and author of Where the Girls Are: Growing Up Female with the Mass Media, Susan Douglas reveals how television and advertising target images of women. Her other recent books include Listening In, a history of radio listening, and The Mommy Myth, an examination of how motherhood has been portrayed in the mass media from the late 1960s to the present. POLITICAL ASSASSINATION IN AMERICA
 With a sharp eye focused on the mysterious death of President Kennedy, Dr. Jack Gordon is one of our country's leading experts on the world of political assassinations. In this highly detailed multi-media presentation, Dr. Gordon addresses the larger issues of assassination in America and examines why all the investigations into JFK's death have been inconclusive. In addition, Dr. Gordon probes into the murders of Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr. THE ART OF THE TATTOO
 Author of Bodies of Subversion: A Secret History of Women and Tattoo and a contributing journalist in many popular publications, such as Elle, Ms., and the New York Times. Margot Mifflin chronicles different types of female tattoo use from breast cancer survivors who tattoo over their mastectomy scars to Victorian society women who collected tattoos as custom couture. CENSORSHIP – FROM ROCK ‘N’ ROLL TO THE INTERNET
 With both liberals and conservatives chipping away at "protected" speech, and the Internet putting children in touch with adult content, the controversy about private license and public morality continues. Noted rock critic Tim Riley illuminates the ongoing censorship debate with a hard-hitting multimedia presentation that taps both high art and pop culture, campus speech codes and Hollywood violence, file-sharing and Internet privacy.
http://artsjournal.com/riley
BIRD FLU, AIDS AND OTHER PANDEMICS
 The US may have one of the best medical systems in the world, but pandemics do not recognize national borders. The next epidemic might arrive with a returning vacationer or exchange student. Philip Hilts, in his book Rx for Survival, shows how vulnerable we are to the devastating effect of infectious diseases brewing in developing nations, and what we must do to create a healthier world.
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helping to heal the world
 Offering a voice of hope for children impacted by war and violence, Dr. Nancy Baron is an author, educator and leading consultant on the effects of trauma and conflict. She travels the world providing help and new direction for communities seeking to rebuild hope, peace and well-being. Nancy provides both an inspiring message and practical tools for finding courage, building peace and making a difference in the world.
Keeping your secrets safe
 How safe are our secrets? From our bank accounts to our defense infrastructure, information technology’s mixed blessings leave our most precious information vulnerable. Dan Verton, leading technology journalist and former intelligence officer, provides a unique look at how some of America’s largest companies and government agencies are losing intellectual property and your private data. |
